Valve arrangement for air regulation in food product driers

Abstract

 A valve arrangement for air regulation in driers for foodstuff products, more particularly pasta, suitable for fitting to an aperture (11) made in a wall (12) of the driers comprising an external support body (16) within which is provided a moving closure component (17) which is selectively displaced by means of a suitable actuator (18), the closure component (17) having a taper section (19) which is reversed towards and partly or completely engages in a matching additional housing section (20) in a hole in the outer body of the hollow support (16).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve arrangement for regulating air in driers for foodstuff products.

[0002] Driers for foodstuff products at present use inlet and/or outlet air regulation means consisting of slide valves of the shutter or throttle type. Such valves receive the signal from processors or suitable electrical regulators the said electrical signal being transformed into the movement of a pneumatic piston which reacts on the valve with relevant interposed actuating lever means.

[0003] Such arrangements have a number of disadvantages due to their particular design, the wear of components and the pneumatic actuation controlled by levers. They are subject to lack of accuracy in regulating the opening and/or closing owing to the presence of levers and of the pneumatic actuation, and a slow operation of the electrical signal owing to its transformation into pneumatic thrust.

[0004] Such known arrangements, owing to the presence of slideway guides, relevant seals, complications due to lever systems give rise to wear forces and/or imperfect regulation of the air passage, particularly under the high and variable operating temperature conditions present in driers. In addition, owing to the structure of the required means, the fitting to such driers in service, requires specific structural geometric shapes and consequently it is necessary to make numerous holes within the drier panels with consequent considerable implementation costs.

[0005] In addition the said known regulation means must be suitably equipped with special securing plates, with consequent expense in the manufacture and location of such plates on the walls of the driers.

[0006] Yet another problem arises with the maintenance of all the components of the regulator arrangement, such as pneumatic pistons, lever systems, runner guides, seals, etc. which initially are also relatively expensive in ensuring correct fitting to the drier.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to achieve an arrangement for air regulation in driers for foodstuffs products which while being structurally more simple will also allow accurate air regulation at the inlet and/or outlet of the drier, eventually allowing forced air input, while completely eliminating losses from the required arrangements.

[0008] A further purpose is to achieve a valve arrangement for air regulation allowing very rapid and easy installation, high operating accuracy and a minimum of quickly completed maintenance.

[0009] These purposes according to the present invention are achieved by means of a valve arrangement for air regulation in driers for foodstuffs products, particularly pasta, suitable for location over an aperture made in a wall of the said driers of the type comprising an external support body on the inside of which a moving closure is provided, the said moving closure being actuated selectively in its movement by means of suitable actuator means, characterised in that the said closure component has a taper part turned towards and engaging at least partly within a matching additional housing in a hole in the said outer body of the hollow support.

[0010] The features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description with reference to the appended diagrams wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation with part section of a valve arrangement for air regulation according to the present invention,

Fig 2 is a section along II-II of the arrangement in fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an elevation similar to fig. 1 of a second version of the arrangement according to the present invention, and

Fig. 4 shows another elevation of a third version of the arrangement according to the present invention.

[0011] With reference to the diagrams, a valve arrangement for air regulation in driers for foodstuffs products, particularly pasta, is suitable for location within an aperture 11 made in a wall 12 of a drier, within the ceiling or simply a side wall.

[0012] In the example shown the aperture 11 is of circular shape and the wall 12 of the drier consists of an internal portion 13 in polyurethane between surface facings 14 of fibre glass and in the part turned towards the inside of the drier a further surface facing 15 of stainless steel sheet or aluminium.

[0013] The valve arrangement according to the present invention essentially comprises an external support body, bearing reference 16, inside which a closure component 17 is provided, which is movable and selectively actuated by means of a suitable actuator 18, in the form of a servo motor or a compressed air cylinder with suitable electro pneumatic locator arranged on the outside of the drier.

[0014] The closure component 17 has a taper part 19 which is turned towards a first part 20 of the outer support body 16. The first part 20 is bored, is of external cylindrical shape, and has a solid flange 21 at the end turned towards the inside of the drier, to fit upon the internal surface of aperture 11. The first portion 20 consists internally of two truncated cone parts 22 and 23 converging towards an internal area of smaller diameter. The truncated cone part 23 turned towards the outside of the drier, also serves as housing means for at least part of the taper part 19 of the closure component 17.

[0015] At the end turned towards the outside of the first part 20 of the external support component 16, the outer surface has a threaded portion 24, of at least the same or smaller diameter than that of aperture 11, over which can be screwed a second flange 25 fully threaded internally. The outer support component 16 has in addition a second cylindrical part 26, also hollow, with radial intake apertures 27, axially in line and connected with the said first bored part 20 and covered at one open free end by a plate 28 carrying the said actuator means 18.

[0016] The end of the second cylindrical part 26 turned towards the first part 20 preferably has a flange 29 allowing the fitting of securing screws 30 parallel with the axial direction, together with the flange 25 of the first part 20. The plate 28 has a peripheral rim 31 projecting coaxially to the said second cylindrical part 26 and able to surround its circumference at least partly, the plate 28 being linked to the second cylindrical part 26 by means of securing screws 32 located in respective holes, shown in the diagrams and also running parallel with the axial direction.

[0017] The actuator arrangement 18 is a linear movement servo motor from which projects a shaft 33 with a free threaded end 34 suitable for stable insertion into a central axial hole 35 provided in the body of the closure component 17. The closure component 17 preferably has in the part turned towards the outside of the drier, or towards the actuator arrangement 18, an annular weight-relieving recess 36.

[0018] In a preferred version, in order to improve the securing or housing of the taper part on the relevant housing part 23, an annular recess is provided as indicated by the dot and dash line 37, which is coaxial with the said outer support component 16 and able to receive a packing seal 38 shown in dot and dash broken line.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a further version of a valve arrangement for air regulation according to the present invention entirely similar to that in figs. 1 and 2, in which identical components bear the same reference numbers. The difference between the two versions consists mainly in the outer profile of the closure component 17. In this second version the closure component has a taper part 19 of which the outer surface connecting the apex 40 with the truncated cone housing part 23 has a curved concave profile 39.

[0020] In this way the difference between the first and second versions as described consists essentially in the fact that the air capacity in the first described and illustrated case is of a linear nature, whereas in the second case it is of exponential nature. An arrangement according to the present invention is thus particularly suited when designed according to the first version, for large air capacities, whereas with the design according to the second version, it is particularly suited for small volumes of air.

[0021] In the first example an effective use would be in an industrial drying production line for foodstuffs products, whereas the second example would be effectively used in small experimental drying cells.

[0022] In both versions shown the location and assembly of the component parts forming the arrangement are effected with the aid of the previously described flanges. The internal flange 20 is placed on the inside of the drier aperture 11 followed by the second flange 25 screwing it from the outside and bringing it to bear against the drier wall. In this way it is sufficient to drill the drier insulating wall only in the position where it is intended to fit the valve arrangement for air regulation according to the invention.

[0023] All the remaining parts of the arrangement are suitably secured to the second cylindrical part 26 of the outer support component 16 which is installed after securing the first cylindrical part 20. In this way it is possible to avoid all other drilling and adjustment required by known arrangements.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a further version in which a forced air supply or extraction is provided for. In the second part 26 of the outer support component 16 a single radial aperture 27 is provided against which extractor and/or ventilator means 41 are placed allowing forced drier inlet or outlet air movement. The operating signal to actuate the extractor and/or ventilator means 41 is provided by sensor means 42 able to detect the presence or otherwise of a widened lower end 43 of the closure component 17. When the actuator arrangement 18 moves the closure component 17 from its bearing contact position closing the regulator arrangement, the said widened lower end 43 passing before the sensor arrangement 42 triggers actuation of the extraction and/or ventilator arrangement 41 thus achieving forced air movement.

[0025] The valve arrangement for air regulation in driers for foodstuffs products, particularly pasta, according to the present invention, thus has considerable advantages in relation to known types of arrangement.

[0026] It is in fact possible to achieve a high level of regulating accuracy as a result of the advantages of the mechanical shape as well as the use of a linear movement servo motor assisted actuator arrangement able to provide a real time response to the electrical signal provided for instance by a processor, not shown here. In addition, the mechanical design referred to above allows wear to be reduced to a minimum thus ensuring freedom from losses.

[0027] As already outlined, the mechanical design allows quick and accurate fitting, only requiring a circular hole in the wall or ceiling of the drier. At the same time the mechanical design is particularly simple and consequently allows highly cost effective manufacture.

[0028] In conclusion the design simplicity, the ease of location in service and absolute absence of mechanical components directly subject to wear are a guarantee of safe and perfect operation of the arrangement according to the present invention, even in the presence of high temperatures.

Claims

1. Air regulation valve arrangement in driers for foodstuffs products, particularly pasta, suitable for installation over an opening made in a wall of the said drier of the type comprising an outer support component inside which a moving closure component is located, the said closure component being actuated to move selectively by means of an actuator arrangement, characterised in that, the said closure component has a taper part which is turned towards and engages at least partly in a matching additional housing part in a hole in the said hollow outer support component.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, the said taper part has at least part of the lateral surface connecting the apex with the lower surface of curved external profile.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, the said taper part is internally hollow.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, a first bored part of the external support component has a cylindrical external shape, has end flanges for butting against opposing internal and external surfaces of the aperture in the said wall, and an internal shape consisting of two truncated cone parts converging towards an internal zone of the said outer component, one of the said two truncated cone parts being the additional housing part for at least one part of the said closure component.

5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that, one of the said flanges is internally threaded and can be screwed on to part of the threaded external end of the said first bored part of cylindrical shape.

6. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, the said external support component has a first hollow cylindrically shaped part, located between the said aperture in the said wall and containing the said additional housing part, and a second cylindrical part, also hollow, with lateral radial intake aperture, axially in line and connected with the said first bored part and closed at one free open end by the said actuator means.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that, the said first part and the said second part are separate and linked to each other by means of locking components located on suitably facing flanges.

8. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that, the said second cylindrical part is closed by means of a plate connected to the said actuator arrangement, the said plate having a peripheral annular rim projecting coaxially with the second cylindrical part and able to surround its circumference at least partly.

9. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that, the said second cylindrical part has a lateral radial opening against which extractor and/or ventilator means are located.

10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterised in that, between the said second cylindrical part at one open end facing the said first cylindrical part sensor means are inserted to detect the presence of the closure component and selectively actuate the said extractor and/or ventilator means.

11. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, within the said additional housing part an annular recess is provided, coaxial with the external support component and suitable for housing a seal.

12. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, the actuator arrangement is a linear movement servo-assisted motor, on the shaft of which the said closure component is connected in an axially movable manner.

13. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that, the said actuator arrangement is a compressed air cylinder complete with electropneumatic positioning means, on the shaft of which the said closure component is connected in an axially movable manner.

Drawing